small populations for sure seems to be the common ground. In the top 10 spots, Its kind of surprising that Canada, having biggest population (35 mill) + 2nd biggest land mass in the world, scored so high. You would think a population so spread out would have similar problems with not being very unified.

All these ratings are a tool of the power elite aimed at supporting their legitimacy.

In this case, they are promoting/defending big governments. It's the single most common denominator of the top performers. If you had to list countries by the percentage of employees working for the government, you would see a similar arrangement.

As for Norway, if it were such a wonderful place, Anders Breivik wouldn't have happened there.

And if they say they are linking happiness to prosperity and rely on GDP per capita, then why don't we see either Qatar (world's top GDP per capita PPP performer) or UAE in the top 20? Because these countries are not western social liberal democracies, that's why!

All these ratings are a tool of the power elite aimed at supporting their legitimacy.

In this case, they are promoting/defending big governments. It's the single most common denominator of the top performers. If you had to list countries by the percentage of employees working for the government, you would see a similar arrangement.

As for Norway, if it were such a wonderful place, Anders Breivik wouldn't have happened there.

And if they say they are linking happiness to prosperity and rely on GDP per capita, then why don't we see either Qatar (world's top GDP per capita PPP performer) or UAE in the top 20? Because these countries are not western social liberal democracies, that's why!

they did post how they made the ratings.... not everything is a conspiracy.

All these ratings are a tool of the power elite aimed at supporting their legitimacy.

Curiously I agree. But not as a conspiracy supporter. The effectiveness of these societies are legitimate. Their geographical and political circumstances are fertile grounds for stability. A population that cant grow too much, a physical territory that cant expand, enough resources. Everything is manageable.

Curiously I agree. But not as a conspiracy supporter. The effectiveness of these societies are legitimate. Their geographical and political circumstances are fertile grounds for stability. A population that cant grow too much, a physical territory that cant expand, enough resources. Everything is manageable.

Happiness is found in spareness, not in overflow.

Happiness is relative and subjective, and, it's just the title. What they've actually measured is nation's prosperity and factored in wealthfare-state social programs.

I, for one, think that happiness and success measured in material terms are two different concepts. So, if I had a chance to come up with a world happiness rating, I'd definitely put India and China in the top ten, because these people know that happiness cannot be bought for money

I, for one, think that happiness and success measured in material terms are two different concepts. So, if I had a chance to come up with a world happiness rating, I'd definitively put India and China in the top ten, because these people know that happiness cannot be bought for money

^ I can't think of many happy things that don't somehow involve money.

Happiness is relative and subjective, and, it's just the title. What they've actually measured is nation's prosperity and factored in wealthfare-state social programs.

I, for one, think that happiness and success measured in material terms are two different concepts. So, if I had a chance to come up with a world happiness rating, I'd definitely put India and China in the top ten, because these people know that happiness cannot be bought for money

Can we agree that happiness is not the wishy-washy joy portrayed by the media but a relative stability and concern-free state? That's my take on happiness. I think it's reasonable.

If we agree on that then this list is spot on, sociologically speaking.

I am happy in America as you see sadness only lasts 4-8 years

I believe you are happy but I cant agree that the US as a country is a happy one. Your culture is quite neurotic, and believe me, that's not an insult, I truly believe that because of that neurosis the US have produced some of the best thinkers of our era.

Can we agree that happiness is not the wishy-washy joy portrayed by the media but a relative stability and concern-free state? That's my take on happiness. I think it's reasonable.

If we agree on that then this list is spot on, sociologically speaking.

I believe you are happy but I cant agree that the US as a country is a happy one. Your culture is quite neurotic, and believe me, that's not an insult, I truly believe that because of that neurosis the US have produced some of the best thinkers of our era.

Wouldn't concern free be related to stability or viceversa? I agree.

Honduras, Central America, Third world hell, is very unhappy... You can't walk around in the biggest cities without having a knot in your throat because of the risk of getting SHOT to steal your cellphone or just mug you.